oh dorian

Heather Kemp is somewhat shy with a smile that is slightly self deprecating, but when she steps on stage and becomes Oh Dorian, everything about this diminutive singer-songwriter grows.
Oh Dorian’s talent is evident. Her voice isn't vampish, as if she wants to claim the title that Brittney Spears left behind, but powerful. Sometimes it's as clear as a bell, wafting through the air, reverberating through you in waves. Sometimes it's gritty, as if what she has to say is too tough and if she didn't have music, she wouldn't be saying it at all. She plays both piano and guitar and each add its own element to the music. The piano is her wistful side, slowly connecting the lyrics to the listener, leading them, by a trail of notes, to her conclusions. Her guitar can be a bit more active, spurring the listener on to the end in a very satisfying vocal/melodic romp. It is still her voice that is both singer and instrument. The way the words flow, the way she structures her notes, her voice becomes her ultimate weapon, an enticement to hear her words and a plea to understand them and though sometimes the combo can chew you up and spit you out, the journey is too pleasurable to give up now.
The influences of growing up in Macon, GA can be seen in her music, songs that are spiritual and grungy at the same time, showing the dichotomy of a city that has more churches per capita of any city in the United States, but just as much of a seedy underbelly as a much larger city. Sometimes despite her lyrics, the music she composes are still somewhat hopeful, tackling topics like life and death, spirituality, and failing with an honesty and acceptance that is not only rare, but refreshing.
She combines her influences, Bright Eyes, Imogene Heap, Radiohead and many others, never imitating them dead on, but mixing them in interesting ways. Even though she is a new talent, it is easy to compare her to some of the current, great female singer songwriters like Joanna Newsom, Tori Amos, Neko Case, Fiona Apple, and Rachel Yamagata and there should be no problem putting her amongst their ilk. She is currently recording for an upcoming LP which she plans to release this fall. Oh Dorian is poised to take her music to the next level.
-angel collins